His Majesty The King Leads 7,050 Volunteers in Building Gelephu Mindfulness City
His Majesty The King joined 7,050 volunteers in Gelephu for a nationwide community service to build Gelephu Mindfulness City, creating parks, public spaces, and a lasting legacy for future generations.
His Majesty King Jigme joined 7,050 volunteers this week in an extraordinary nationwide effort to develop public spaces and parks within the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The mass community service programme, known as zhabtog, is taking place from 4–8 September and marks a milestone moment in Bhutan’s journey towards creating a city that embodies mindfulness, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
A Nation Comes Together
The volunteer turnout reflects the depth of national pride and enthusiasm surrounding GMC. Residents of Gelephu and nearby communities were joined by Gyalsups and Desuups, Members of Parliament, representatives of government agencies, DHI and its companies, the Bhutan Red Cross, Judiciary officials, NGOs, and community groups travelling from Tsirang, Dagana, Pemathang, Phuentsholing, Trong, Mendrelgang, and Nganglam.
Building Parks and Public Spaces
Guided by expert coordinators, volunteers are dedicating their time and energy to tasks that will transform the city’s landscape. These include cleaning and clearing land earmarked for parks, installing benches, water points, and toilets, and beautifying key public areas across GMC. The collective effort aims to create vibrant, accessible, and welcoming spaces for both residents and future visitors.
A Legacy for Generations
Addressing the volunteers, His Majesty expressed heartfelt gratitude for their contributions. His Majesty highlighted that GMC is not only an ambitious urban development project but also a symbol of Bhutanese unity and shared vision. This represents the collective aspiration of our people to create a lasting legacy that will benefit generations into the future.
The Spirit of Zhabtog
The initiative underscores Bhutan’s enduring tradition of zhabtog, where communities come together in voluntary service for the greater good. In GMC, this tradition finds a new and transformative expression, as thousands of Bhutanese lend their hands to build a mindful city that blends modernity with cultural and environmental consciousness.
As Bhutan takes its first steps in realising the vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City, the energy and commitment of the people – led by His Majesty – serve as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a nation works together for a higher purpose.
